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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009
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Iraq Protesters Burn US Flag During Biden Visit

Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr mock veep's reconciliation tour

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(Newser) – Vice President Joe Biden’s visit to promote reconciliation among Iraqis was met today with protests by supporters of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, Reuters reports. Demonstrators burned American flags and shouted anti-US slogans. Biden plans to meet with PM Nouri al-Maliki and President Jalal Talabani to assess plans to heal the fractious divides, but first had breakfast with his son Beau, serving with the US military there.

Iraqis seem not to have forgotten then-Sen. Biden’s plan to divide Iraq into provinces segregated by religious sect: “Biden has come here to divide Iraq according to his plan,” taunted a message from Sadr himself, and spread by sympathetic imams.

Vice President Joseph Biden, left, US Ambassador Christopher Hill, center, and Gen. Ray Odierno are seen at a military base near Baghdad today.
Vice President Joseph Biden, left, US Ambassador Christopher Hill, center, and Gen. Ray Odierno are seen at a military base near Baghdad today.   (AP Photo)
Vice President Joseph Biden, Gen. Ray Odierno, and US Ambassador Christopher Hill meet with representatives from Iraqi NGOs at a military base near Baghdad today.
Vice President Joseph Biden, Gen. Ray Odierno, and US Ambassador Christopher Hill meet with representatives from Iraqi NGOs at a military base near Baghdad today.   (AP Photo)
In this frame grab made from television, Vice President Joe Biden greets Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abbawi , second left, in Baghdad yesterday.
In this frame grab made from television, Vice President Joe Biden greets Iraqi Deputy Foreign Minister Labid Abbawi , second left, in Baghdad yesterday.   (AP Photo)
Iraqis burn US flags in this February photo.
Iraqis burn US flags in this February photo.   (Getty Images)
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The issue of dividing Iraq was rejected by Iraqis, so we don't fear it. But the reconciliation issue should be activated by Iraqis themselves not by others.
- Abdul-Kareem al-Samarrai, Head of the Iraqi parliament's Accordance Front Sunni bloc

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24 comments
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TerrifiedCitizen
Jul 3, 09 2:26 PM CDT
From pulling over Saddam's statue, to burning our flag; now that is real Bush-Chen progress. You don't suppose the Iraqi people saw through King George's oily pretenses? Reply
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+6
IN RESPONSE:
mickey61988
Jul 3, 09 2:47 PM CDT
Sure they did but this flag burning crap comes close to pushing me over the edge. The troops didn't set policy and burning the flag flies in the face of the troops and all the good they've tried to do while over there in that sand box. Not to mention the lives sacrificed. This is a no win situation for us, all Americans get lumped in with the fools that started this war and this al-sadr guy will undo any good that the troops on the ground have accomplished with Iraqi civilians. I'm sure not all Iraqi's hate us but if al-sadr can change that he will. The whole damn thing is a cluster %#*&. Thanks GB.
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+3
IN RESPONSE:
anchower
Jul 3, 09 4:08 PM CDT
"[A]ll the good they've tried to do over there"? You mean like Abu Ghraib and countless other atrocities--not to mention, the illegal invasion? "Not to mention the lives sacrificed"? You mean of the hundred thousand Iraqi civilians? The Iraqis have good cause for trampling the flag. Certainly more than Palin, anyway.
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+1
IN RESPONSE:
SBS
Jul 3, 09 6:24 PM CDT
mickey...88. Your posting of "This is no win situation for us" says it all for me.
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0
IN RESPONSE:
godawgs
Jul 3, 09 9:26 PM CDT
@anchower you're right we have done no good to for that country. I am sure they would love to be back where they were before Saddam was taken out of power....
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-1

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